This blog began as "The Vegan Investigation" which ran from 02/14-03/14/2011 and my fitness blog. Now it continues as my personal blog for fitness, nutrition and everyday life. I'm never afraid to push limits mentally or physically - some think I'm crazy, others think I'll push myself too hard - but either way, I'll never know my true limits until I push myself past them....Because people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

So we've concluded at work that Tuesdays are basically a do-over of Mondays - so we lovingly call them Second Mondays...the torturous beasts that they are....

That being said, I think its fairly obvious why Tuesdays are my running days at work. Its my time to decompress, relieve some stress & get some exercise while I'm at it. Thankfully, we have a gym at work that's nicely equipped with 2 treadmills, an elliptical, 3 stationary bikes, a stairmaster, a full dumbbell rack (10lbs up to 50lbs) & bench, weight machines & mats - so its easy for me to sneak in a workout here when I'm not being a lazy ass.

Today I had built up energy that I needed to get out - and the treadmill was my mode of relief. I snuck over on my first break and got in a nice mile. Ran the first 3/4 of it at an easy 5.0 MPH (12 min mile pace) and then sped it up to a 6.0 MPH (10 min mile pace) for the last quarter mile - for a total run time of 11:36. It felt good and I'm antsy for more. Maybe I'll be able to sneak away later & knock out another mile or two before the day is over! Woot!!

Tonight, we have friends coming over for dinner & I'm planning a healthy Shepherd's Pie (still been craving it!), roasted asparagus and a fabulous fruit salad for dessert....and bought a big bottle of wine for the occasion! Hehe!! Now just a matter of getting through the work day. Meh....

Miles Ran Towards A Better Me in 2012: 15.9 Miles
Total Amount of Joy I've Found From My Running Shoes: Priceless!!!!

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Alrighty - so here I am - trying to get my head on straight. I've been working on de-stressing myself for the past few weeks and I'm thinking things are finally improving. I'm still reading like a crazy person - I'm up to 113 books this year so far & think I need to update my 2012 Goal on goodreads (which is currently 150 books!) I am loving the release & peace that comes from losing myself in a good book.

In other news - I cut my hair this weekend, just to even out all the length while it grows out. I also was getting bored with the color - I swear the changed the formulas of the reds that I used to use...they just don't last as long and aren't as vibrant as I remember. So now my hair is a nice chocolate reddish brown - which makes my eyes super green. I'm enjoying it!

I deleted my Spark account. I decided that my success shouldn't matter on how supportive someone else is (though I love the positivity I get from my friends & family) - I found that I would feel pressured to track, label & push myself to count calories, SparkPoints, blog & update consistently. I was getting obsessive. Since I deleted the account, I feel better and I haven't regretted that choice. I met some incredible people on Spark who are now my friends on Facebook - now I can keep in touch with them there.

OH and Deanna - thank you SO much for your amazing comments!! Blogger is stupid and I can't respond directly to your posts, but I read each and every one of them!! It seems like we are in a similar place with tracking (or actually not tracking) things!!! I'm glad I found you on FB so we can still chat even though I'm not on Spark anymore!!

I've also stopped wearing my BodyBugg & Heart Rate Monitors - now I workout & move for the joy it brings me, not because of anything else. I love the strength I get from my workouts and I don't need a damn machine telling me whether or not I've been successful. The only thing I'm tracking now is my running mileage (simply because that makes it easier for me to figure out when I need new running shoes and because I'm proud of those miles - I earn every single one of them!)

I got my nutrition back on track today & picked up some cookbooks to help keep me on track. I've had the stupidest craving for Shepherd's Pie & Irish Soda Bread (perhaps because I'm reading books set in England & Scotland???) so I'll be making a healthy version one of these nights. I also raided Costco and their amazing produce section - I got watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, king fisher melons, mangos, plums, kiwis, strawberries, purple grapes, raspberries, blackberries, pineapple, asparagus & snow peas!! I am so excited!! I will be attacking all those melons this afternoon so that they're all prepped & ready for lunches this week. I love summer & all the wonderful fruits & veggies out this time of year!!!

I hit the treadmill at lunch today as well - this did WONDERS for my mood & I feel incredible after it. I haven't regularly ran in weeks, so I wasn't sure what workout I wanted to do - so I started out with Week 4 Workout 1 and it worked great. I went fast enough to push myself, but it wasn't overly strenuous either. I ran at a nice 12 min mile pace (except for the last 2 mins which was a 10 min mile pace) - it made me happy and brought me SO much joy! I am tempted to sneak away and run another mile on my last break today

Warm Up
Run for 3 minutes at 5.0 MPH
Walk for 90 Seconds at 3.5 MPH
Run for 5 minutes at 5.0 MPH
Walk for 3 minutes at 3.5 MPH
Run for 3 minutes at 5.0 MPH
Walk for 90 Seconds at 3.5 MPH
Run for 5 minutes (first 3 minutes were 5.0 MPH and last 2 minutes were 6.0 MPH)
Cool Down

Total Distance: 1.75 miles
Total Time 23 Minutes
Total Calories Burned: I don't give a shi*t - I don't bother tracking that anymore, now I just run for the joy of it!

I am enjoying where life is taking me now - for the first time in a long time, I'm comfortable with who I am and what I'm capable of. That doesn't mean that I still won't strive for my best self, but it means that I'm going to be enjoying the journey for once.

Miles Ran Towards A Better Me in 2012: 14.9 Miles
Total Amount of Joy I've Found From My Running Shoes: Priceless!!!!

About Me

I am also an avid reader who always has her Nook, Kindle or physical book with her. I have an amazing husband, a fabulous step son, a loving yet spoiled cat & a happy life. I couldn't really ask for anything more than this!

I am always willing to try something new. I love working out and I will always try to find a new and exciting challenge to push my body to the next level! I'm discovering a love for adventures that make me feel alive & incredible and I can't wait to share that with the rest of the world!

Disclaimer

Hillary is NOT a medical doctor and takes no responsibility in the use or misuse of any of her ramblings on this or any other form of media. You are big kids! Think for yourself! All the information in this blog is offered as-is, for informational purposes ONLY! Much of the information here, although medically referenced, exists outside the realm of conventional, accepted medial practice. The user of this information assumes all risks for its use or misuse. In no event shall the writer of this blog or any other person or entity involved in the production of this information be held liable for any damages stemming from the use or misuse of this information. Your continued reading of this blog indicates your acceptance of these terms & conditions.